Circuit-protecting sounogr



(No Model.) 3 SheetsaSheet 1..

A. L. CREELMAN. 0111 01111 PROTECTING SOUNDER.

Patented J line 1 5, 1897.

WITNESSES! A III/l/E/VTOP fimig g ATTORIV (No Mode 1.) f a SheetsSheet 2' A. L.CREELMAN. CIRCUIT PROTECTING SOUNDER.

'No. 584,465. I Patented June 15,1897.

WIT/ 8353; C IIIVI/IYEIVTOH 'MMQQQJU I 4 (No Model.)

A. L, GREELMAN. CIRCUIT PROTECTING SOUNDER.

g fatented June .15, 1897.

3 Sheets-$heet 3.

W vmroe list-iron ALVAII Ii. CREELMAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGiTOR TO THE CIRCUIT PROTEOTING SOUNDER COMPANY, MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.

ClRCUlT-PROTECTING SGUNDE-R.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 534,465, dated June 15, 1897. Application filed May 18, 1896. Renewed February 26,1897. Serial No. 625,178. (Ho model.)

nois, have invented a new and useful I:n,

proveincnt in Circuit-Protecting Sounders, of which the following isa specification.

This invention has reference to soundcrs and Cll'OllllFlJlOlJQQtOlS to be used more particularly in connection with telegraphic circuits; and the invention consists in an improved apparatus com bining-the functions of a sounder and circuit-protecting devices, the said parts operating to automatically give an alarm and. shunt the instruments when the main-line current is interrupted fora predetermined time and to open a ground-circuit. The invention, com prehends, incidentally, various features of construction and combinations of parts, which will be fully pointed out in the specificationand claims. I

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective View of my improved apparatus in the form in whichit is embodied for practical application to telegraphic circuits. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same with portions of the mechanism removed to expose other parts to view. Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of the sounder as taken on'the linea a, Fig. 2, and viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows therein. Fig. 4 is an elevation on an enlarged scale of the apparatus, showing the sounder-armature-and other parts in the position they will occupy when the main-line circuit has remained open for a predetermined time. Fig. 5 is a similar View with the parts in the positions they will occupy when the main-line circuit is closed and in operation. Fig. 6 is a view, in the nature of a diagram, of the apparatus and circuits controlled thereby. Fig: 7 is :al similar view of one branch of the local circuit by which a.

included in the local circuit, a normally open shunt-circuit 6, and a ground connection 7,

nets. closed, this armature revolves continuously and gives motion to a clutch-disk 16, fixed adapted to be opened when the shunt and alarm circuits are closed. The parts and circuit connections operate to automatically close the alarm and shunt circuits when the main-line current is interrupted or broken for a predetermined time and to incidentally open the ground-circuit, so that when the main line is thus shunted around the inoperative instruments there willbe no liability of grounding the line. The sounder, which is shown more particularlyin Figs. 3 and 4,

consistent two-electro field-magnets 8 and 9,

fixed to a suitable base 10, a revolving corearmature 11, which operates the circuit-controller 2, and a vibrating armature 12, which acts as a sounder, as will-be more fully described hereinafter.

The rotary armature is mounted in suitable bearings 13, rising from the base on opposite sides of the -1nagnets, andv is provided, as is usual in electromotors, with commutatorbrushes 14 and 15, by which t he current in the main-line circuit is conducted to the mag- When the main line is in operation orv to its inner end. Extending in line with this armature i's an exteriorly-threaded horizontal shaft 17, sustained so as to be capable of a limited endwise movement. On' its opposite ends the shaft is provided with clutch-disks l8 and 19, which are adapted by the endmo-' tion of the shaft to be engaged alternately with the clutch-disk='on the rotary armature and with a clutch-disk 20 on the-inner end of; a continuously-rotating shaft 21, mounted in bearings 22, rising from the base of the instrument, as shown in Fig. 1. The bearings for the ends of the threaded shaft are formed by the inner ends of the rotary armatureshaft and rotary shaft 21, respectively, which shafts are formed with. longitudinal sockets or openings in which the ends of the threaded shaft loosely extend, the parts being so formed that the threaded shaft will be capable of a slight endwise movement sufiicient to permit of the alternate engagement and disengagement of the clutch-disks. The clutchdisks on the ends of the threaded shaft are provided on their faces with projecting lugs or pins 23, which when either of the disks is moved adjacent to either of the rotary of the engaging rotary disk. The length of 16 between the disks 16 and 20, in which posi-' the pins on the clutch-disk and the amount of end motion of the shaft are such that the latter may occupy an intermediate position tion, neither of the disks being engaged, the

shaft will remain motionless.

The rotary shaft 21 is operated by electromagnets 24 and 25, included in the normallyclosed local circuit 3, through the medium of the continuously-vibrating' armature 26.

This armature is pivoted at its lower end on a horizontal axis 27, parallel to the axis of the shaft, and vibrates between the'electromagnets, which are located on opposite sides of the shaft, means being provided, as will be more fully described hereinafter, to energize and .deenergize the magnets alternately by the movements of the armature to cause the uninterrupted vibration of the latter.

, The armature where it extends past the shaft is bent outward to avoidthe same, and is provided with a pawl 28, imposition to engage the teeth of a ratchet-wheel 29, fixed to the shaft, every alternate stroke of'the-a rmature beingthus caused to advance the ratchetl wheel and the connected shaft. The reverse movement of the shaft is prevented by a fixed dog 30, in position to engage the teeth of the opposite directions caused-to move a fingerv or nut 31 back and forth, and this nut is arranged to engage and operate a circuit opener and closer 32, which when in one position maintains the closure ofthe ground-circuit at thaflpeint and when in the other position maintains the closure of the alarm-circuit 5.

and the shunt-circuit 6. The nut is formed in its end with a notch which embraces a rod 33, fixed between theupper ends of two standards 34 and 35, rising from the base. The

rod serves to prevent the nut from being car are adapted to extend, respectively, between the-spring-fingers of the contact-points when .the' lever is thrown in its different positions.

When the angular lever is in the position shown in Figsnfi and 6, the lateral arm42 thereon will extend between the'spring-fin- "avers thrown on aspires to nthe opposite position, that shown in Fig. 4, the arm 43 thereon will extend between the spring-fingers of contact-points 38, 39, 40, and 41 of the alarm and shunt circuits and these circuits will be closed. The angular lever is so arranged relatively to the traveling nut that when in either position one legof the lever will be in a vertical position in the path of the nut, so that the movement of-the nut back and forth will act to throw-the lever first in one position,closin g certain circuits and opening others, and then in another position,opening the closed circuits and closing the open ones.

In order that this action of the circuit making and breaking lever maybe governed and controlled by the sounder, I construct the vibrating armature 12 with two legs 44 at its lower end, which legs are pivoted to the.

too

vibratory armature will be drawn to a vertical position and the finger and pawl being disengaged the threaded shaft will be forced to the left by a spring 48, fixed to the base and engaging the disk 18, and the latter will be caused to engage the disk 16 of the rotary sounder armature. When, however, the

sounder magnets are deenergized, the spring 45 will pull the vibratory armature to the position shown in Fig. 4, and the finger thereon will engage the pawl.47 and force the latter against the clutch-disk 18, and the threaded shaft will be moved slightly to the right, disengaging itself from the rotary sounder-armature and engaging with the rotary shaft 21.

Under normal conditions when the main line is in operation in transmitting messages the vibratoryarmature will be vibrated corresponding to the make and break ofthe telegraphic code, and the threaded shaft will, by the movement of the armature and its spring 48, be alternately disengaged and engaged with the clutch disk of the rotary armature, but not long enough to permit the armature to impart a rotary motion to the shaft, and the parts will remain'in the position shown in Fig. 5 with the nut to the left and the alarm and shunt circuits open.

It, now the current in the-main line be interscenes a rupted for a longer period of time than oecurs during'thetrausmission of messages, as by imperfect connections or the accidental leaving of the key open, the vibr toryarmature will be pulled by its spring vhO the position show'n' in. Fig. 4, and the finger acting through the pawl on the disk will push the shaft to the right and engage the same with the rotary shaft 21. The rotation of the threaded shaft will feed the nut to the right, 'and the latter, engaging the angular level. 32, will turn it on its pivot to the position shown in Fig. 4, thereby opening the ground-circuit and closing the alarm and shunt circuits. This will cause the alarm to be sounded and will shunt the entire mechanism. The nut 31 will be fed along'to the right until it con- :tacts with post 35, which will arrest its metion. The continued rotation of the shaft, in consequence of the obstruction to the motion of the nut, causes the shaft to be moved bodily to the left through the nut, thereby disengaging the clutch-disks 19 and 20, and the motion of the shaft will cease. The parts will remain in this position until the mechanism is reset, which is accomplished by positively opening the shunt-circuit, as at normally-closed switch 68, and the main current,

engagement with the rotary armature.

which in the meantime has been reestablished, passing to the sounder-magnet, the vibratory armature will beatt-racted and the spring 48 will throw the threaded shaft to the left in The shaft will be revolved now in the opposite direction and the motion will feed the nut to the left and will turn the angular lever to its opposite position,thereby opening the alarm and shunt circuits at these points, and the mechanism will operate as before.

W'hen the main-line current .is intact and the line closed through the transmitting-key when the latter is not being used, the vibratory armature being in an upright position, the spring 48 will tend to engage the clutchdisks l0 and 18, the result being that the nut 31 will be fed against the post 34. The mo tion of the nut being arrested by the post, the continued rotation of the shaft will move it bodily to the right through the nut to an intermediate position between the disks 16 and 20, and the clutches being disengaged the shaft will come to a rest.

The sounder vibratory armature12 may vibrate at the upper end between the usual stops or between the alarm-bell 50 and a second bell 51, located adjacent thereto.

The arrangement and course of the various circuits referred to above are as follows:

The main-line circuit enters a switchboard 52 and passes thence through conductor 53 to binding-post 54, thence through conductor 55 to the sounder, and leaving the same passes by the conductor56 t'dbinding-post 5i, thence through conductor 58 to the switchboard, and finally leaves the same by conductor 59.

- The alarm-circuit is a branch of the local circuit 3, before alluded to as operating the p back to the battery by conductor 86.

through conductor (50 to'contact-point 11-1.

As before stated, these contact-points are in the form of spring-fingers which are adapted V to receive bet-ween them the arms on the angular lever, which acts to close the circuit at this point.

The shunt-circuit starts from the bindingpost 51 and passes by conductor (37 to normallyclosed switch 68, which is employed for resetting the instrument, as described,

whence it passes by conductor (3.) to contact point'38. The circuit starts again at contactpoint 31) and passes by conductor 70 to binding-post 57 in the mainline circuit.

The groundcircuit starts from the switchboard and passes by conductor 7i to contact-- point 36, and starting again at contact-point 337 it passes by conductor 72 to the ground, as at E. This circuit is normally disconnected at the switchboard, and when the line is operating theangular lever maintains the clo sure of the circuit at the contact-points, so that in a case of emergency, when the line in operation, it it is desired to ground the same it will only be necessary to insert the proper plug. \Vhen'the line is inoperative, as be fore described, and shunted around the mechanism by the closure of the shunt-circuit, the

ground is broken at the contact-points, so

there will be no liability of the main line being grou uded and the main circuit interrupted at this particular station. In the event of its being desired to ground the main line when the ground-circuit is open at the con tact-points I propose to provide a normallyopened switch '73 in the gro Lind-circuit, which switclnwhen closed, will shunt it beyond the contact-points.

lib circuits and mechanism for automatically and alternately energizing the magnets which drive the rotary shaft 21 are included in local circuit 3, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. From the battery 60 'the circuit passes by conductor 80 to contact-points 81 and Opposite these contact-points are located two contact-points 83 and 84:, all of which are in the form of spring-fingers, betweenwhich a red 84*, hereinafter described, is adapted to extendand close the circuits at these points. From the contact-point 83 the current passes through conductor 85 to magnet 25, thence From the contact-point 84: the current passes by conductor 87 to magnet 24, thence by conductor 88 to battery.

The rod'for closing the circuits at the contact-points is movable horizontally and transversely of the shaft 21 and is mounted in fixed 7 armature vibrates are engaged by'the same and the rodis caused to be moved endwise I the magnets will be completed through*t-lie;

. -its-otlieroperating mechanism when the mainand alternately between the contactefing'ers' 81, 83, 82, and 84:. Assuming the parts to be in the-position indicated in Fig. 7, with the bar extending between contact-points S2=and 84, theci'rcuit is completed by the conductors I described' through magnet 24, which willimmediatelyattract the armature, rotating-the shaft 21 through the ratchetwheel and cansing the rod to be pushed to the left, thereby breaking the circuit atcontact-pointsflfiand 8i and establishing the other circuit at contact-points 81 and 83 and energizing the magnet 25. I armature and pull it back, thereby again establishing the circuitthrough contact-points 82 and 84 and magnet 24 and breaking'it' at contact-points 81 and 83 and through magnet 25. It is seen, therefore, j that the makingand breaking of the two circuits are per. formed automatically, and that consequently the armature will be vibrated continuousiy between the magnets and will impart to the shaft 21, through the medium of the ratchetwheel, a continuous rotary motion. Y

I propose to connect the battery with the armature 26 by means of conductor-88,;sothat' if the contact-bar does notmakc pcrfoct'cblitact with points 81 and 82 the circuits through armature instead of through the conductor 80, which is connected to contact-points 81 and 82. .When thus connected, assuming the parts to be in the position shownfinF-ig. 7,

the circuit through magnet 24 will be com pleted through conductor 84 87, magnet 24,. conductor88, the battery, thence through con- (1 uctor 88 'to armature 26 and contact oar 84%. When the contact-bar is in its other position between points 81 and 83, the circuit through magnet 35 will be completed through conductors 83 85, magnet 25, conductor 86 86 battery 60, conductor 88 armature 26, and contactbar 84?. It is seen, therefore, that both circuits are completed without the current traversing the conductor'80.

'In a continuously-vibrating apparatusas heretofore constructed the circuits, as far as I am aware, have been brokenimmediately after, being completed, the armature moving by the impetus given it during the temporary clesure of the circuits. Hence the full force ofthe current has notbeen obtained. In my apparatus, however, towing Ito the space between the two abutments '91. the armature does notcontact with said abutments'and shift the contact bar until it has reached the limit of its stroke under the-positive attraction of 'thel m-agn'ets. In this-way I am enabled to utilize thefull'force of the magnet.

In the use of relays and Sounders greatdifficulty has beenexperienced and constant attention is required to maintain their proper adjustments, more particularly in damp This magnet will'now-attract the" weather, when the vibratory armature has a tendency to adhere to the magnets when the current is stronger than usual. lVith iny improved sounder the action of the armature is not interfered with in unfavorable weather or under the influence of strong currents for the reason that the current is continually other on account of the changing of. the lines of force. Underthese conditions the vibratcircuit-controller to open the circuit, an electrically-operated device included in the mainline circuit for operatively connecting the circuit-con-troller with one of its mechanisms when thev-ni'ain-line circuit -is interrupted for "predeteigmin ed time and means for operatively connecting the circuit controller with ;,linecircuit is closed.

. 2. The combination of a main-line circuit, ,a key and-spunder included therein, a nor- {Jmally opncircuit adapted when closed to i shunt the instruments, a circ uit-controller for closingand opening said circuit, a localcircuit','- a continuously'acting electrically-operated mechanism 4, included therein adapted to operate the circuit-controller to close said circuit, a conti-nuously-actin g electrically-op erated mechanism 1', included in;the mainline circuit foroperating the circuit-control ler to open said circuit, an electrically-operated device in the main-line circuitproperatively connecting the circuit-controller with the mechanism 4:, when the circuit the main line is interrupted for a predeterm ned time and means for operatively connecting the circuit-controller with the mechanism 1, when the circuit in the main line is closed, substantially as shown and described 3. The combination of anrainline circuit, a sounder includedtherein-an-d formed in addition to its usual vibratingarmature with a rotary core-armature 11, a normally open circuit, a circuit-controller for closing said circuit, a local circuit, an electrically-operated mechanism included therein, a rotary shaft adapted to be driyenby said mechanism continuously in a direction opposite to that of the core-armature, an intermediate shaft,'a finger mounted on said shaft and adapted to .be moved thereby to operate the circuit-con- .troller,'devites acted .on by the vibratory archanging from one leg of the armature tothe "ing armature will movefreely with each in- 1 mature for operatively connecting the intermediate shaft with the rotary shaft 21, when the main-line circuit is interrupted for a predetermined time and means for disengaging said intermediate shaft and connecting it with the rotarycore-armature when the main line is'closed, substantially as described.

i. The combination of a main-line circuit, a sounder 1, included therein, a contin uouslyoperating core-armature for said sounder in addition to its usual vibratory armature, a normally open shunt-circuit, a normally open local circuit including an alarm mechanism, a circuit-controller adapted when moved in one position to close said circuits and when moved in the other position to open the same, a normally closed local circuit,a continuouslyoperating mechanism included therein,a horizontal shaft 21, driven continuously by said mechanism, anexteriorly threaded intermediate shaft extending in line with the shaft 21, and the core-armature and capable of a limited endwise motion, clutch devices be tween the ends of saidshafts, a nut or finger 31, encircling the said shaft and ad aptcd to be moved back and forth by the rotation of the same in opposite directions, and to operate the circuit-controller, devices acted on by the vibratory armature to move the threaded shaft endwise and engage it- With the shaft 21, when the main-line circuit is interrupted for apredeterminedtimeandaspringorits equivalent for moving the threaded shaft in the opposite direction to engage it with the corearmature 11, when the main-line circuit is closed, substantially as described.

5. The combination of a main-line circuit, a sounder included therein, a normally open circuit adapted when closed to shunt the instrument, a circuit-controller for closing said circuit, a ground-circuit maintained normally closed at one point by-said circuit-controller and adapted to be opened when the other cir-' cuit is closed and vice versa, a mechanism for operating the circuit-controller to close said first-named circuit, a second mechanism for operating thev circuit-controller to open the same, devices acted on by the vibratory sounder-armature for operatively connecting the circuit-controller with the first-named mechanism when the main-line is interrupted for a predetermined time, and means for op eratively connectingthe circuit controller with the second mechanism when the mainline circuit is closed, substantially as described.

6. The combination with amain-line circult of a sounder included therein and comprising opposite field-magnets, a rotary corearmature and a vibratory sounding-armature formed wit-h legs or members extending in the lines of force of the field-magnets, and circuit-cont-rolling mechanismadapted to be operated by the rotary core-armature, substantially as shown and described.

7. The comoination of a main-line circuit, a key and sounder therein, a normally open its other operating mechanism circuit, a circuit-controller for closing and opening said circuit, a mechanism for operating the circuit-controller to close the circuit, a second mechanism for operating the circuit-controller to open the circuit, an electrically-operateddevice included in the main line ci rcuitfor operatively connecting the circuit-controller .with one of its mechanisms when the main-line circuit is interrupted for a' predetermined time, and means for operatively connecting the circuit'controller with i when themainline circuit is closed. i

S. The combination of a main-line circuit, a key and sounder therein, a normally open alarm-circuit adapted when closed to give an alarm, a normally open shunt-circuitadaptcd when closed to shunt the instruments, a circuit-controller for closing and opening said circuits, at mechani m for operating the cir cult-controller to close the circuits, a second mechanism for operating the circuit-controller to open the circuits, an electricallyoperatcd device included in themain line for I cuit, a continuously-acting, electrically-operated mechanism 4 included therein and adapted to operate the circuit-controller to close said circuit, a continuously-act-ing electrically-operatcd mechanism 1 included in the mainline circuit fonoperating the circuitcontroller to open said circuit, an electricallyoperated device in the main-line circuit for operatively connecting the circuit-controller with the mechanism t when the circuit in the main line is interrupted fora predetermined time, and means for operatively connecting the circuit-controller with the mechanism 1 when the circuit in the main line is closed.

10. The combination of a main-line circuit, a key and sounder therein, a normally open alarmvcircuit, a normally open shunt-circuit, a circuit-controller for closing and opening said circuit, a local circuit, a continuouslyacting electricallyoperated mechanism 4 included in the local circuit and adapted to or crate the circuit-controller to close the alarm and shunt circuits,aconthiuously-acting electrically-operated mechanism 1 included in the main-line circuit for operating the circuit-- controller to open the alarm and shunt circuits, an" electrically-operated device in the main-line circuit for opcratively connecting the circuit-controller with the mechanism 4 when the circuit in the main line is interrupted for a predetermined time, and means troller With the mechanism '1 when the cirquit in the main line is'closed, substantially as shown and described.

11; The combination of a mainline circuit,

a sounder included therein and provided in addition to its usual Vibratory armature, with a rotary core-armature 11, a normally open circuit adapted when closed to shunt the in struments, a circuit-controller for closing said circuit, a localcireuit, an electricallyoperated mechanism included therein, a rotary shaft adapted to be driven by said mechv circuit-controller, devices acted on by the vibratory armature for operatively connecting the intermediate shaft'with the rotary shaft 21 when the main-line circuit is interrupted for a predetermined time, and means for disengaging said intermediate shaft and connecting-it with the rotary core-armatu re when the main line .is closed, substantially .as de- 'scribed.- u

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand, this 20th day of April, 1896, in the presence of twoattesting witnesses.

ALVAH L. CREELMAN. Witnesses:

CONRAD KOE'LER, RoB'r. CLARK. 

